The £3m stately home the Blairs want to add to their property empire

This is the magnificent Grade I listed property that Tony and Cherie Blair are believed to have set their hearts on.

After viewing £3million Winslow Hall in the Buckinghamshire countryside, they are said to be keen to make an offer on it.

According to neighbours, Mrs Blair visited the property two weeks ago and liked it so much she took her husband for a second viewing a few days later.

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Designed by Sir Christopher Wren, the five-storey house boasts seven bedrooms – six of which are en suite.

It also has a drawing room, dining room, morning room and a library as well as extensive domestic offices.

"Cherie and Tony have both been to see the property and they love it," a source told The Mail on Sunday.

"It's a trophy house, certainly worthy of an ex-Prime Minister. They say they are desperate to have a place in the country and they love the village of Winslow because it is only 50 miles from Central London."

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The house, on the edge of the village, is set in 17 acres of parkland, of which five acres are landscaped gardens and a walled kitchen garden.

Another attraction for the Blairs could be the Roman Catholic chapel in the grounds. Mrs Blair is a Catholic and there has been much speculation that her husband, who regularly attends Mass with her, will convert.

"The Blairs asked to see the chapel and they seemed suitably impressed," said the source.

But there is a question mark over whether they would be prepared to honour the local traditions of allowing the Boxing Day hunt to meet in the grounds or providing the setting for the annual Winslow village fete.

The property, built for Sir William Lowndes in 1702, also has outbuildings - including a former coach house - which have been converted into two flats and garages.

A second source said: "Cherie arrived in a Range Rover with a property finder. Another Range Rover brought her bodyguard. She looked around the house and instantly fell in love with it.

"Later that week the Range Rovers rolled up again, but this time Cherie was joined by Tony. She showed him around and pointed out the things she loved during her first visit."

The Blairs only recently moved into their £3.65 million townhouse in Connaught Square in London. But despite their vast mortgage on that property, Mrs Blair has said that she wants a house in the country.

Winslow Hall was owned by Sir Edward Tomkins, a former British Ambassador to France, who died last month.

"It's in pretty good condition but at least £1million needs to be spent on refurbishment," said a source.

"There is beautiful wood-panelling throughout, though some of it has been removed or has worn away and needs to be replaced. But Mrs Blair loved the house so much. Their visit has been the talk of Winslow."

The property has been on the market since May with two estate agents – Savills and Jackson-Stops and Staff.

Both confirmed that it was not yet under offer.

The Blairs have £4 million of mortgages on their homes in Connaught Square, Bristol and Durham. Mr Blair is thought to have borrowed for the Connaught Square house on the basis of his future earnings from memoirs and speaking tours.

A spokeswoman for Mrs Blair refused to discuss whether the couple had viewed Winslow Hall, saying: "They are private individuals now and what they do is their own private business."